Quebecois

Québécois (kay-bay-kwah) is the adjective which refers to that which comes from the Canadian province of Québec. Traditionally, the Québécois people are francophone, and have a history of agriculture and logging. Of course, not all Québécois live in Québec, and many Québécois identify much more as such than as Canadians, French-Canadians, or even francophones. Only those actually from France will identify as French. The immigration into Québec is almost exclusively into three hubs: Montréal, Québec City, and Gatineau. This makes for split cities where to get by you need not know the other language, but to succeed you may need both.

stewacide maintains that Canadian anglophones would most likely identify anybody in the province as 'Quebeckers', and would reserve the use of 'Québécois' for 'ethnic Quebeckers' (those who are white, francophone, and Catholic). Generally, however, First Nations people in the province of Québec will identify first as their indigenous group, then as Québécois, then as Canadian. Immigrant populations would identify as their immigrant group or as Canadian first, and would identify with their province last.

The feminine of Québécois, almost never used in English, is Québécoise (kay-bay-kwahze). The theory is that one would say "The Québécoise woman entered the room." The practice is that one does not.

Québécois and Québécoise alike are most likely in Canada to be smokers*, at 27%. This, compared to British Columbia at a low, low 17%. Further, Québecois smokers smoke the highest average number of cigarettes, at 17.4 per day.

It is very important not to confuse the two expressions "French-Canadian" and "Québécois". French-Canadian, which once designated Québécois, now only applies to Canadian citizens living out of Québec who speak French. "Québécois" has been used since the 60's and is a better representation of the reality. Another important thing, when writing about Québécois, is important not to forget the two accents aigus on the "e"s.

An arm asleep beside the bedupon which waits a pillowed headdoes bring to mind its restless twinawake, alone, its thoughts withinand as Left, again, its vigil keepsand Right, docile, in darkness sleepsthough of the trunk, as is his brotherLeft feels sure there is no other.